Families of 28 cadets gather for the RCMP’s Youth Academy graduation at Kelly Road Secondary

Prince George, BC – This past week has been anything but ‘spring break’ for 28 high school students from across the region taking part in the RCMP’s 10th annual Youth Academy…

The grade 11 and 12 students have been up at 5:45am and out running by six, as they kick-started 16-hour days that included everything from classroom lessons, to instruction on weapons handling, and role-playing various scenarios RCMP officers might encounter on the job.  Several battled through the flu, in addition to the daily challenges.

After a regimental dinner last night, family members and dignitaries including Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Shirley Bond, RCMP Inspector Keith Redl, and School District 57 Board Chair Sharel Warrington gathered in the gymnasium at Kelly Road Secondary today to honour the cadets at the end of their week-long commitment.

Drill Instructor, Constable Rob Lamont, put Troop 10 through its paces one last time, for the benefit of those in attendance. (click on photo at right for video coverage)

Constable Kyle Sharpe spent the week with the cadets.  "They were an awesome group – they came in as a bunch of individuals and they left as a team."

Sharpe says the week is meant to give the teens a sense of what a career with the RCMP involves and a ‘little taste’ of what it would be like to attend the Depot training academy in Regina.  While there are no stats on how many cadets have gone on to become officers, the constable says, "I do know of members who are regular members today, who went through academies in previous years, so it does happen."

18-year-old Lorne Braam definitely has his sights set on a career with the RCMP. 

The grade 12 student at Bulkley Valley Christian School in Smithers says he really enjoyed the nightly scenarios that saw the cadets divided into two ranks, with one group being RCMP officers.  He says one involved a bar fight and the ‘officers’ had to assess the situation and decide their best course of action.

Braam says, "I think I’d first like to apply as an auxiliary officer and, from there, apply to become an RCMP officer."

16-year-old Carissa Duncan says, she is also considering a policing career after what was a long, hard week. 

"The days were long, but they were good days," says the grade 11 student at Fraser Lake Secondary.  "It’s very strict here, but it’s cool," says Duncan.  "I haven’t experienced anything like this before.  We had lots of fun activities – my favourite was getting to shoot the guns and learn all about them."

The teen says she’s drawn to a job with the RCMP by a desire to help people, but also feels it’s a diverse career that would never lead to boredom.